As the South marks Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day today, local health organizations are sounding the alarm on a persistent public health crisis often overshadowed.
“We’re still very much in an HIV epidemic,” Justin Smith, director of the Campaign to End AIDS at Positive Impact Health Centers, told Capital B Atlanta. “A lot of people assume HIV is no longer an issue in the U.S. That’s just not true — especially here in the South, and especially in Black communities.”
In 2023, the South had the highest rate of HIV diagnoses out of all U.S. regions, and Black Americans had the highest rate out of all racial groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Positive Impact Health Centers operates multiple clinics throughout the metro area, where they deliver comprehensive care and preventive services to those living with or vulnerable to HIV, regardless of insurance status.
Resources Clinics Offer
From HIV testing and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) prescriptions, to mental health care and housing support, the clinics offer a wide range of wraparound free and low-cost resources.
But despite the services available, Smith said stigma and lack of education on HIV continue to stand in the way of progress, and in particular, Black women are still overlooked when it comes to HIV treatment and prevention.
Black women continue to face the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among all women in the U.S., according to 2023 CDC data.
“Part of the issue is awareness,” said Smith. “A lot of Black women don’t even know that PrEP is something that’s available to them.”
Historically marketed to gay and bisexual men, PrEP remains under-prescribed to heterosexual women, and even when women are aware, providers often don’t bring it up, said Smith.
As HIV researchers and health advocates warn about looming budget cuts to HIV prevention and research efforts, Smith said he sees Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day as a rallying call.
“We are dangerously close to erasing the progress we’ve made,” said Smith. “We’ve seen cuts to HIV and public health funding. If we don’t fight for the resources we need, we’re going to lose ground.
“HIV doesn’t have to define the South, but it will, unless we take bold steps together.”
Where to Find Free and Low-Cost HIV Testing and Services in Metro Atlanta
Nonprofit Organizations
Address: 1237 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW, Atlanta
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Make an appointment: Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule an appointment online.
Address: 315 14th St. NW, Atlanta
Hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (470) 661-4667.
Address: 236 Forsyth St. SW, #300, Atlanta
Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (404) 521-2410, or visit their website.
Address: 230 Peachtree St. NW, suite 1800, Atlanta
Hours: Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Fill out their online form.
Address: 1438 W Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (800) 551-2728.
County Health Departments
10 Park Place
Address: 10 Park Place SE, Atlanta
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (770) 520-7500.
Adamsville Regional Health Center
Address: 3700 MLK Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (770) 520-7323.
College Park Regional Health Center
Address: 1920 John Wesley Ave., College Park
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (770) 520-7201.
Address: 445 Winn Way, Decatur
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (404) 294-3700.
Clayton County Health District
Address: 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro
Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Call (678) 610-7199.
Cobb and Douglas Public Health
Acworth-Kennesaw Public Health Center
Address: 3810 Old 41 Highway NW, Kennesaw,
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make an appointment online.
Douglas Public Health Center
Address: 6770 Selman Drive, Douglasville
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make an appointment online.
Marietta Public Health Center
Address: 1650 County Services Parkway, Marietta
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make an appointment online.
Smyrna Public Health Center
Address: 3001 S. Cobb Drive SE, Smyrna
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an appointment: Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make an appointment online.
